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Artwork for Professor of Rock

Professor of Rock

Gamut Podcast Network
Led Zeppelin
Van Halen
Pink Floyd
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Eddie Van Halen
Ventura Highway
Phil Collins
Prince
1970s Music
Electric Light Orchestra
Whitney Houston
Fleetwood Mac
Rock and Roll
America
Dire Straits
Queen
Journey
Metallica
Janet Jackson
Kryptonite

The ultimate rock music history podcast for fans of the greatest era of music. If you’ve ever wondered about the true stories behind your favorite songs, or wanted to hear directly from the legends who made them, Professor of Rock is your new go-to podcast. Hosted by music historian and superfan Adam Reader, this show brings the golden era of music back to life with exclusive interviews, behind-th... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes1735Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Music

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Artwork for Professor of Rock

Latest Episodes

Today we are visiting one of the most gloriously weird and wondrous years in music history — the charts were packed with streakers, gangsters, and some passive-aggressive jealousy. We celebrate this crazy year with 10 songs that sound exactly like th... more

We’re rewriting history again today as we revisit a year when one band completely took over and overshadowed many classic songs that deserved better. Today we put those songs where they belong at #1. Including The Drifters Under the Boardwalk, a song... more

I know you are gonna love this episode! Because i’m gonna give you some familiar songs that were hits that I guarantee you haven’t heard in ages. Radio and streaming playlists are filled with the same songs we hear over and over again. So I just spen... more

Every now and again I have an idea for a show, and as I put it together I’m blown away by the stories behind the songs and the fact that they’ve never been shared before. That’s this episode in a nutshell. Today, we’re counting down the Top 10 songs ... more

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Recent Guests

Bob Rock
Record producer who worked with Metallica on the Black Album.
Episode: The Stories Behind Iconic Hits: Guns N’ Roses, Boyz II Men, The KLF, and Metallica
Cindy Wilson
Singer and founding member of the B-52s
The B-52s
Episode: FROM THE VAULT: How The B-52s’ Rock Lobster Inspired John Lennon’s Return to Music
Peter Beckett
Player singer and guitarist
Player
Episode: 6 Bands That Should Have Been Bigger: The Stories Behind EMF, Tonic & Derek and the Dominos
Emerson Hart
Tonic singer and songwriter
Tonic
Episode: 6 Bands That Should Have Been Bigger: The Stories Behind EMF, Tonic & Derek and the Dominos
Mike Edwards
Jesus Jones singer and songwriter
Jesus Jones
Episode: 6 Bands That Should Have Been Bigger: The Stories Behind EMF, Tonic & Derek and the Dominos
Rita Coolidge
Singer-songwriter who says the piano coda in “Layla” was her music
Episode: 6 Bands That Should Have Been Bigger: The Stories Behind EMF, Tonic & Derek and the Dominos
Narada Michael Walden
Legendary producer and drummer who worked with Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Prince, and many others
Music Producer and Musician
Episode: FROM THE VAULT: Narada Michael Walden on Producing Whitney Houston & Prince’s Legendary Basketball Skills
Dave Pirner
Soul Asylum frontman and songwriter
Soul Asylum
Episode: 7 Songs That Saved Lives: The Incredible Stories of Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, and Soul Asylum
Pete Byrne
Singer and frontman of Naked Eyes
Naked Eyes
Episode: Pete Byrne’s Final Interview: How Naked Eyes Created Two ’80s New Wave Classics

Host

Adam Reader
Host of Professor of Rock, music historian and storyteller

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 437 ratings
  • Fabulous!

    Wow! This is the most amazing podcast. I’am usually into True Crime but sometimes I need a break . I just fell in love with the first episode I listened to. So now I have a lot up catching up to do. So interesting and fun , so glad I found you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jersey Girl in Vermont
    United States2 months ago
  • So interesting!

    Adam Reader truly is a repository of fascinating information about the music we love.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Shshort
    United States2 months ago
  • Awesome show.

    Always entertaining. If you have any interest in rock or pop music of any type you’ll enjoy this podcast. Love the YouTube version as well. Well done

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tango459
    Canada3 months ago
  • Love the Professor of Rock!

    Love your podcasts! How about doing an episode on the “The Producers” (“She Sheila”) Had a lot of great early 80’s pop rock songs

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BM ‘60
    United States3 months ago
  • Rocks!

    Adam’s eloquent presentation combined with never-ending interesting

    subjects makes for one of my favorite podcasts.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Paulus787
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the show's behind-the-scenes detail and the host's enthusiasm.
Execs pitching the show can emphasize its nostalgic appeal and authoritative music history insights.
Positive reception highlights deep research, engaging storytelling, and strong guest lineups.
The show is noted for its accessibility in audio format and entertaining interviews.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#51
United States/Music
Apple Podcasts
#95
Canada/Music
Apple Podcasts
#38
Australia/Music
Apple Podcasts
#40
Israel/Music
Apple Podcasts
#43
Argentina/Music
Apple Podcasts
#56
Philippines/Music

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

7 Songs That Saved Lives: The Incredible Stories of Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, and Soul Asylum
Q: What do you think about when your song is used in pop culture like that?
Dave Pirner said he enjoys hearing the song in movies and finds it a kick, though he is not interested in advertising uses.
7 Songs That Saved Lives: The Incredible Stories of Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, and Soul Asylum
Q: I read that at the time that you'd said the song was about depression. Tell me a little bit about that.
Dave Pirner said he was going through a bad period and wondering whether life was worth living. Writing “Runaway Train” helped him work through and express what he was feeling.
6 Bands That Should Have Been Bigger: The Stories Behind EMF, Tonic & Derek and the Dominos
Q: How did “If You Could Only See” come about?
Emerson Hart said the song grew from a final phone call with his mother, who opposed his marriage when he was 21. He wrote it within hours of telling her, “if you could only see the way she loves me.”
6 Bands That Should Have Been Bigger: The Stories Behind EMF, Tonic & Derek and the Dominos
Q: What did Peter Beckett say happened when he returned from the Alex Harvey tour?
He said he came home to find his wife gone and never saw her again, an experience that left a lasting emotional impact.
FROM THE VAULT: How The B-52s’ Rock Lobster Inspired John Lennon’s Return to Music
Q: Was that just improvised, kind of just like, was it something that you thought of or was it just came...
Wilson explains that the band often used lists as a creative device, including lists of fish in “Rock Lobster,” and enjoyed making them increasingly playful.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Professor of Rock

What is Professor of Rock about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show offers deep, story-driven explorations of rock and pop history, with a focus on the stories behind famous tracks, the people who made them, and the moments that shaped music culture. Episodes mix origin tales, studio lore, celebrity anecdotes, and long-form interviews with musicians, producers, and industry figures. The host's enthusiastic, encyclopedic delivery and a strong emphasis on behind-the-scenes context make it a go-to for listeners who crave hearing how timeless songs were created and how careers evolved across decades. A standout quality is the consistent use of first-hand recollections and live conversation, which gives listeners a sense of being in the room with legends and the era's biggest moments, from MTV-era brea... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Professor of Rock?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Professor of Rock:

1. Behind The Song: Classic Rock Chronicles
2. The Eddie Trunk Podcast
3. The 500 with Josh Adam Meyers
4. The Bob Lefsetz Podcast
5. Everything 80s

How many episodes of Professor of Rock are there?

Professor of Rock launched 2 years ago and published 1735 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Professor of Rock?

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What guests have appeared on Professor of Rock?

Recent guests on Professor of Rock include:

1. Bob Rock
2. Cindy Wilson
3. Peter Beckett
4. Emerson Hart
5. Mike Edwards
6. Rita Coolidge
7. Narada Michael Walden
8. Dave Pirner

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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